I’m thrilled to have fellow Story Empire author, Joan Hall, here today to share her latest release, Cold Dark Night. It is a book I loved and look forward to the rest of the series. Here’s my review: LINK
Thank you for hosting me today, Denise. I’m delighted to be here to talk about my newest release, Cold Dark Night. It’s the first novel in the Legends of Madeira series. Each book begins with a historical event that ties to modern day.
We both share a love for animals. I think when character has a pet, it tells readers a lot about their personality. Although I like all animals, I’m especially fond of cats. I have two of my own, a seven-year-old tuxedo named Tucker and a six-year-old black Manx named Little Bit. We adopted Tucker, but Little Bit found us.
Both cats, but especially Tucker, are extremely sensitive our moods and emotions. He clings a lot if one of us is sick.
Oscar is a black cat that readers first meet in House of Sorrow. He’s a “mixture” of my two cats. Just as Little Bit “found” us, Oscar “found” Ruth. After her death, he roamed the neighborhood where neighbors made sure he had food and received proper care. Oscar wouldn’t stay with any of them, remaining a bit reclusive, but things changed when Tami moves to town.
And like Tucker, Oscar is sensitive to Tami’s emotions. I’d like to share two excerpts. The first is when Tami first meets her new fur baby. The second scene comes later in the book.
Excerpt:
Tami walked to the door with Abbey. When she opened it, a large black cat darted across the deck.
“Fantastic. Oscar finally showed up.”
“Is he your cat?”
Abbey shook her head. “He belonged to Ruth. He’s been roaming the neighborhood since she died. Everyone looks after him and makes sure he has food and shelter, but he won’t stay with anyone for long.”
The cat meowed, reached a paw out to Tami, then twined between her legs.
“Well, hello there. You’re certainly friendly.” Tami bent down to scratch him behind the ears.
“That’s unusual. He’s been standoffish, especially to strangers. But I’ve often heard people don’t choose cats, cats choose them. It looks like you have a new buddy.”
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It was mid-morning when the uneasiness gripped Tami again. She’d been in her office, trying to slog through an article for a regional magazine.
After the conversation with Jason, her disparaging mood left. But now she couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen, as if danger lurked nearby.
Oscar jumped from his spot on the love seat onto her desk, then nudged her arm. During the past few weeks, the cat had acted sensitive to her emotions. It was as if he knew when she was upset or troubled. His presence never failed to comfort her.
“Hey, buddy.” She scratched behind his ears. He rewarded her with a soft purr. “You always know how to make me feel better, don’t you?”
The cat continued to rub his head on her hand before lying across her keyboard—something he hadn’t done before.
“Guess I won’t get any more work done this morning.” Tami laughed as she reached to power down her computer. It was then she noticed the date.
February 16. Lee Hazelton died on this date thirty-eight years ago.
She looked out the window. The expected cold front hadn’t arrived. Three months ago, she’d visited Ruth’s grave on the date of her death. She could do the same for Lee.
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Cold Dark Night is available on Amazon for .99 through June 15. After then, the price goes to $3.99, so now is a good time for readers to grab a copy.
Blurb:
New husband, new house, new town… and a new mystery to solve.
Tami Montgomery thought her police chief husband was going to be the only investigator in the family when she gave up her journalism career and moved with him to Madeira, New Mexico.
But after the historical society asks her to write stories for a book celebrating the town’s history, she becomes embroiled in a new mystery. If she can’t solve this one, she could lose everything. Her research uncovers a spate of untimely deaths of local law enforcement officials. Further digging reveals a common link—they all lived in the house she and Jason now share.
Tami isn’t a superstitious person, but the circumstances are too similar for coincidence. Then she unearths an even more disturbing pattern. And if history repeats itself, her husband will be the next to die.
Purchase Link
Connect with Joan:
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Great post, Joan. I’m more of a dog person than cat. I miss being able to have a pet, but health and such just doesn’t allow that these days. I’m so looking forward to reading Cold Dark Night. Best wishes with this series! 🙂
Denise, thanks for hosting Joan today 🙂
I was always more of a dog person until recent years. Now that we have our two spoiled cats, I’ve grown fond of them And for the first time ever we don’t have a dog. My health won’t allow me to properly care for a new puppy, so we’ve just stayed with the cats. They are great companions. It’s hard not having a pet.
Thanks for visiting today, Harmony and for your support.
Thanks, Harmony, I’m thrilled to have Joan visit. You have a good read ahead!
Thank you for opening your blog to me today, Denise. I appreciate your support and it’s a pleasure to be here.
I’m very happy to have you here to share your fantastic book, Joan 🙂 Wishing you much success!
Thanks for hosting Joan today, Denise. I enjoyed the excerpt!
Thanks for following the tour, Jill!
I was excited to have, Joan, here today! Thank you for stopping by, Jill:)
I’m really enjoying your tour, Joan. And I agree; pets say a lot about a character. AND a person. Great post. And best of luck with your book.
Thanks for hosting, Denise.
I happy to share in Joan’s good news! Such a great read.
I couldn’t imagine not having a pet even if it was a fish 🙂
Totally agree about pets. I can’t imagining people not liking animals, but some don’t. Thanks so much for following the tour, Staci!
Congratulations to Joan. I have started Cold Dark Night so I’m going to stop reading the excerpts. I was grabbed by the story right from the first page. Thanks for hosting, Denise.
It’s wonderful to have Joan here today! It was a great read, happy reading, John:)
Thank you, Denise. 😊
Thanks, John. I tried to pick passages that weren’t spoilers, but it’s hard. Glad the story got your attention.
It is terrific.
Cat lover here, too, Joan. We have four, currently, all found as kittens from feral moms and adopted straight into our household. And all named for characters in books I love: Harry & Murphy (Dresden Files) and Kell & Rhy (from my favorite V. E. Schwab series). And like you, I give my characters pets, as well, for the very same reason. We learn a bit about who they are from the animals they love.
Sorry I’m behind on your blog tour, Joan, but if it helps, I’m planning to get my review of Cold Dark Night written and posted today. (Hint: The number “five” is definitely involved.) I loved this book, and hope it sells like MAD for you. There are so many good things going on (including Oscar), I’d have trouble listing all of them here!
Denise, thanks for featuring Joan and Cold Dark Night today. Great post, you two. 😀 <3
I love your pets names, Marcia, and where they came from 🙂 Yes, pets do show the depth of a character in stories for sure.
I’m excited to have Joan here and share the news of her fantastic new book.
Marcia, I replied to you but it ended up in another thread. Just wanted to let you know. 😉
Enticing excerpt. I am intrigued!
Yes, great excerpt, I agree, Jacqui. It was a book that I really enjoyed and can easily recommend.
Thanks so much, Jacqui!
I too love animals of all kinds in stories, Joan. I love both of these excerpts and can see where they add to the story. I am looking forward to devouring this book! Thank you for hosting, Denise!
I’m a fan of animals in stories too:) I’m sure you will devour this book just like I did:) I’m thrilled to have Joan here today. Happy reading, Jan!
I love animals, so it’s only natural they find their way into my books. Thanks so much for visiting today, Jan
Thanks, Marcia! And don’t apologize for not being able to visit all the stops. There’s a lot packed into a few weeks. I like the way you chose the names for your cats. We are currently dogless (is that a word? LOL). Anyhow, we have a family tradition of naming them after songs or singers. It began quite innocently when I was sixteen and named my German Shepherd puppy after George Harrison’s first wife, Pattie Boyd. We’ve had a long string of “musical” names since then. I haven’t done the same for our cats. Tucker was named when we got him and Little Bit… well, the name just fit him.
Thanks again for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your review.
Found you! 😀 I’ve named animals for singers/groups/songs before, too. I think the last one was some years back when we had a big cat named Huey (for Huey Lewis & the News). Had one cat named Sybil, for Sybil Fawlty on Fawlty Towers. And a bird named Basil for the same show. 😀 Finding just the right name is fun, isn’t it?
Posted my review today, but don’t know if it’s gone live or not. Will try to get it up on BookBub, too. Continued best wishes for this book, Joan. It’s terrific! 🙂
Thanks, Marcia!
Another cool post, and Oscar deserves his own post.
Oscar is a special kitty. He is very deserving. Thanks, Craig!
I agree, Oscar did deserve his own post 🙂
As a cat lover, you know I adored these excerpts. I agree that cats choose people. Our last two absolutely chose us.
I agree, Teri, cats do choose us. My last kitty I was at the vet’s with a cat doing shots and just peeked into the room with kittens. One picked me out.
Our Little Bit chose us. We already had two cats when he showed up at our house. We intended to take care of him until we could find him a good home but six years later, he’s still with us. Our lives have been richer because of him.
Your cats sound adorable, Joan. We have a calico named Harley. She rules the house! lol
They do take over don’t they, Jacquie:) You have the best cat name!
Lol, It’s a hit with my neighbor who owns a Harley, too 🙂
I’d have to say Tucker and Little Bit rule this one. But they are great companions. I’ve seen photos of your Harley. She is adorable!
It’s great to see Joan here, Denise. I enjoyed the prequel and imagine this book is going to be great. Thanks for sharing and congrats to Joan on the release.
It was a great read Diana 🙂 Happy to share xo
Thank you so much, Diana. I’m glad you enjoyed House of Sorrow and hope you like this one as well.
We had dogs and a cat, but the cat liked me. This is an great excerpt, Joan. I hope Tami solved the mystery soon. Thank you for hosting, Denise!
We’ve had both dogs and cats in the past. Now we just have the two cats. I can’t imagine not having a pet! Thanks for visiting, Miriam.
Cats always seem to like me too, Miriam. It’s a great mystery:)
I like that mystery, Denise 😊
I am also a cat lover, Joan. A lovely post and extracts. Thanks for hosting, Denise.
Thank you, Robbie. There’s just something about cats and writing.
I’ve almost finished reading this book and loved it.
Thanks, Balroop! Makes me happy when others like my writing.